by USA TODAY Sports Network, USA TODAY

by USA TODAY Sports Network, USA TODAY

Every week, USA TODAY Sports asks its NBA experts from around the country about a current hot topic. This week, we tackle the NBA trade deadline.

Which team most needs help at the trade deadline?

Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports: The Dallas Mavericks have been hanging around the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference for most of the season. Some of their offseason additions have worked out well, but they still need a presence inside. There are a surprising number of centers on the market, and Dallas would be well served to grab one or fall out of the playoff chase with the Memphis Grizzlies in hot pursuit.

Ian Levy, Hickory-High.com: Plenty of teams need help in different places, but the ones that stand out the most are those who are just a flaw or two away from legitimate championship contention. The Los Angeles Clippers' interior defense has struggled all season long and their bigs off the bench, Byron Mullens and Ryan Hollins, have been disastrous. Finding a competent backup big man, one capable of offering some positive contributions at the defensive end, could be the difference between playing in the Finals and checking out early. The Portland Trail Blazers are in a similar boat. Their offense has kept them afloat most of their season but their defense has fallen off the edge of the world. Like the Clippers, a defensive-minded back-up big is a huge need. Neither team has a lot of extra parts that could bring what they need, but both will definitely be looking.

Sean Highkin, USA TODAY Sports: The obvious answer is the New York Knicks, who are desperate to make the playoffs and keep Carmelo Anthony happy as he hits free agency. But they have nothing to trade that would land them any player who actually moves the needle, so I'll go with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Western Conference is deep, and right now the Wolves just don't have the talent to keep up. Besides Love, no player should be untouchable because what they have right now isn't working.

Jason McIntyre, The Big Lead: I've narrowed it down to these two: Miami and Golden State. Miami needs to fortify the bench with Wade's injuries and all its fossils (Ray Allen, Shane Battier, etc). Golden State - my preseason Finals pick - also needs some bench help. They really miss Jarrett Jack.

Which player could use a change of scenery most?

Joseph: Greg Monroe is floating in the ether. The Detroit Pistons have committed an immovable amount of money to Josh Smith, who operates best at power forward. And Andre Drummond is entrenched firmly at center. Monroe can play either of those positions, but he can't play alongside those two efficiently. Monroe is a restricted free agent after the season. Give him a chance to help another team and get the full contract he deserves, and the Pistons can bring back some wing help they desperately need.

Levy: Omer Asik needs the first ticket out of Texas. Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey hasn't found an offer that feels like a fair return for Asik, so it looks like he may finish the season with them. But he's made clear that he doesn't want to play second-fiddle to Dwight Howard, and their play together at the beginning of the season made it clear that staggering their minutes was the only realistic option for Kevin McHale. It's ironic because so many teams could use Asik's interior defense - for example, the Clippers and Blazers as I mentioned above. However, no one who really needs him seems to have the necessary assets to pry him away from Houston.

Highkin: Thaddeus Young. The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the league's worst teams, and he's not likely in their long-term plans. On the right team, he's got a great contract and a versatile game that could help a contender. But Philly won't let him go cheap.

McIntyre: I feel for Pau Gasol, who is on a terrible team that is going to have a top five pick. Gasol is only 33 and certainly in the right spot could be a significant contributor during a playoff run.

Pick one dream deadline deal, even if you know it won't happen.

Joseph: The 76ers must be sellers at this point, and Young is their most valuable piece. And the Phoenix Suns are in the market for another scoring threat. So here's the plan: Young for Emeka Okafor, who has an expiring contract, and the lowest two of the Suns' four potential 2014 NBA draft picks. Young gives the Suns a better scoring option in the paint and can play with just about all the big men in their rotation. And the 76ers can clear out their cap space even further as they build.

Levy: Denver Nuggets power forward Kenneth Faried for Knicks shooting guard Iman Shumpert. I don't think either would make a huge difference for their new teams, but both are wasting away in their present situations. Mostly I'm just exhausted hearing about this one, since it has been discussed ad nauseum since late November.

Highkin: The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons are both on shaky ground as they attempt to make the playoffs. The Cavs already fired GM Chris Grant, and the Pistons' Joe Dumars could be up next if things go badly the rest of the year. A Josh Smith-for-Luol Deng double panic trade is both a pipe dream and weirdly realistic. Make it happen, basketball gods.

McIntyre: The 76ers package Nerlens Noel and Evan Turner and trade the pair to Cleveland for Anderson Varejao and Dion Waiters and a pick. Philly doesn't want to pay Turner, and the Cavs are desperate to ship Waiters out of town. He'd love to pair with his Syracuse partner-in-crime, Michael Carter-Williams. But I don't see the 76ers trading Noel without seeing him play.